struts

Struts are slender load-bearing members used to provide support, stabilization, or guidance within a system. In structural engineering, a strut is a member designed primarily to resist compression. Struts are commonly used in frames and trusses to prevent bending and to transfer loads between joints. They are typically made of steel, aluminum, or composites, and vary in cross-section to balance stiffness, strength, and weight. Their behavior is influenced by buckling, material properties, and how the ends are connected, which may be pinned or rigid.

In practical applications, struts appear in bridges, towers, cranes, and building frames, as well as in aircraft and ships where external or internal bracing supports wings, fuselages, or masts. They provide stability and load transfer under various mechanical and environmental conditions.

In aerospace, wing struts and landing gear struts provide vertical support and shock absorption. They help maintain geometry and alignment under differing flight loads and ground impacts, contributing to overall structural integrity and safety.

In automotive engineering, a strut often refers to a suspension component called a MacPherson strut, which combines a shock absorber and a coil spring into a single assembly. This type of strut supports the vehicle weight, controls wheel movement, and provides damping, contributing to ride comfort and handling. Strut-based suspensions can simplify chassis design and reduce parts count, but they influence wheel alignment and maintenance requirements.

In computing, Apache Struts is a Java web application framework that implements the Model-View-Controller pattern to organize code and presentation logic. First released in the early 2000s, it evolved into Struts2 and has been used in many enterprise applications, though security concerns with older versions have driven migration to newer frameworks.